This smoldering enemies-to-lovers novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu puts a superstar global phenomenon and a hotshot young spy on a collision course with danger – and Cupid’s arrow – in an electric new series perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Ally Carter.

Meet Winter Young – International pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him – just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.

Meet Sydney Cossette – Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She’s fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance – especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.

When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter’s lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter’s bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter’s charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there’s more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .

Series:

Stars and Smoke

Book 1

Can be read as a standalone

Book Type:

YA Romantic Thriller

Review: Stars and Smoke

A pop star and a spy pair up against a menacing crime boss in this thrilling series starter.

19-year-old Chinese American popstar Winter Young is a global sensation with struggles of his own. Approached by a spy agency to help take down a target during a private concert abroad, Winter is thrust into an unfamiliar world teeming with high-tech gadgets and dangerous liaisons. There, he meets Sydney Cosette—a talented covert agent whose no-nonsense, often-brash attitude collides with his own demeanor.

Their upbringings and dispositions are wildly divergent, but the pair’s chemistry burns up the pages as they work to infiltrate the inner circle of the nefarious syndicate. Sydney’s own trauma has shaped who she’s become, and amidst the chaos of their situation, they forge an unexpected connection.

Marie Lu delivers a story replete with thrills, poignancy, and humor. Its fast pace and action-packed scenes make it impossible not to devour. The romance didn’t feel overwhelming, and rather added emotional depth to balance with the ratcheting tension of the spy narrative.  ‘The Hating Game meets Mission Impossible’ is an accurate way to depict this propulsive, high-stakes caper that’s particularly fun for us fangirls to read.

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